Peru vs. Argentina Betting Tips: Back Messi to score from outside the area in World Cup qualifier

World Champions Argentina travel to Peru on Wednesday as they continue their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup. We’ve previewed the action and have made a case for two tips for the game below.

Peru will be aiming to reach the World Cup finals for the sixth time in their history, with their best finishes coming back in 1970 and 1978 when they reached the quarter-finals of the competition. 

Ten teams feature in the South American section of World Cup qualification with Peru currently occupying ninth in the standings. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina side on the other hand sit pretty at the top of the table having collected maximum points from their fixtures so far since qualification began in September.

Since lifting the World Cup in Qatar in December Argentina have not put a foot wrong and have won all seven of their matches that they have played. Four of those have been friendlies but when it comes to World Cup qualifiers they have started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador.

Argentina then followed that up with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bolivia, before a Nicolas Otamendi goal secured a 1-0 victory over Paraguay. Peru are no pushovers, but with the quality that Argentina possess it is hard to look beyond another victory here for the visitors. 

Six of Argentina’s last eight victories have been by a two goal or bigger margin and taking them to see off Peru with a -1 match handicap looks the wise play here. Paddy Power and Betfair have this selection priced at evens (1/1), so we are recommending take on the 6/5 that is on show with bet365. 

Lionel Messi has scored 48 more international goals than any other Argentina player in history, and we are once again backing the great man to do so on Wednesday. However instead of taking the 8/15 that is available for him to score anytime with Betfair or Paddy Power, we are backing Messi to score from outside the area at a much juicier offering of 7/1.

Sky bet go a boosted 7/1 for Messi to score from outside the area, with others such as bet365 going considerably shorter at 4/1. In his final season with Barcelona Messi scored eight goals from distance. One of the greatest free-kick takers of all-time, Messi needs no introduction when it comes to magical goals from outside the box and backing him to so in Lima on Wednesday looks worth a punt at the prices.